Bayerische Motoren Werke Preference : ECKART 2019 FOR EXCELLENT CULINARY ART goes to Franck Giovannini

Munich/Vienna. The ECKART 2019 FOR EXCELLENT CULINARY ART is being awarded to Franck Giovannini from the Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in Crissier, Switzerland. A student of star chef Frédy Girardet, founder of the 'Hotel de Ville', Giovannini combines a concentration on the essence of the products with the highest level of craftsmanship.

'Franck Giovannini is a silent revolutionary. He appreciates tradition and brings his expertise to the modernization of Cuisine spontanée, making it one of the most exciting modern cuisines of our time,' says Dr. Nicolas Peter, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Finance, and patron of ECKART. Giovannini impressed the jury with his youthful, light and elegant cuisine.

'Crissier is an elite training ground for young chefs, characterized by the 'Cuisine spontanée' of Frédy Girardet, founder of the 'Hotel de Ville'. Our award winner has carefully and respectfully delivered this cuisine into the present. What distinguishes Franck Giovannini from other cooks of his generation is his attitude of respect. This applies above all to people: his guests, his kitchen and service staff as well as his predecessors in the legendary de l'Hôtel de Ville,' explains Eckart Witzigmann. The Swiss native learned his trade in Switzerland, Canada and the U.S. The 45-year-old was not only awarded three Michelin stars and 19 points in Gault-Millau, but was also named 2018 Chef of the Year.

In the Cooking Academy of the 3-star restaurant, he also devotes himself to passing on his knowledge to children, fellow cooks and experts.

The ECKART

The BMW Group and the ECKART Academy have been partners since 2012 and jointly award the Eckart Witzigmann Prize for outstanding achievements in the gastronomy scene. The partnership is based on the common goal of promoting healthy nutrition, sustainable cuisine and the responsible use of resources. Previous award winners include Daniel Boulud, HRH Charles Prince of Wales, Elena Arzak, Anne-Sophie Pic, Harald Wohlfahrt, Dieter Kosslick, Ferran Adrià, Marc Haeberlin, Joël Robuchon, Alex Atala, Jon Rose, Mick Hucknall, Massimo Bottura, Dominique Crenn, Andreas Caminada, Tiffany Persons, María Marte, Alain Ducasse, and many others.

The award for sustainable enjoyment and social responsibility will be presented at a ceremony in Vienna on 19 May 2019.

BMW Group Press and Public Relations

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ECKART Academy, Executive Management

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The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world's leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2018, the BMW Group sold over 2,490,000 passenger vehicles and more than 165,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2018 was € 9.815 billion on revenues amounting to € 97.480 billion. As of 31 December 2018, the BMW Group had a workforce of 134,682 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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